The Homemade Housewife

I am a helpmeet to my husband and hard-working mom to my 4 kiddos. Even though I am often busy with housework, homeschool, errands, etc., I believe that nothing is too good for my family. If I can't find quality items at the grocery, I make them myself! After all, nothing is ever as good as homemade :)

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Friday, July 17, 2015

I'm sure all of you have tried an herbal infusion from dried herbs (also known as herbal "tea"). But, did you know that you can make an infusion from fresh herbs, found right in your own yard? I will demonstrate how to do this, and believe me, it is so easy you'll want to harvest a different herb every day to try it out!

Today, I harvested a few stalks of Wild Bee Balm. I found a patch of it out near the aspen grove on the side of our house just the other day... it is an edible/ medicinal herb and has been used by Native American tribes to treat colds and the flu- it is also related to Thyme, so it is a spicy herb. I ate a leaf raw and it was quite spicy on my tongue! If you eat it raw, make sure you mix it with other greens in a salad. This is definitely not an herb you want to eat a lot of by itself. But, in an infusion, it is much more mild; very fragrant and delicious!

Wild Bee Balm, freshly harvested

To check out other pictures of Wild Bee Balm (or other edibles), check out this website! Edible Wild Foods is a great place to start when choosing herbs to use in teas or recipes... Lots of great information!!

Wild Bee Balm, ready to infuse

Since I am using only the leaves and flowers of Wild Bee Balm to make my infusion, I have stripped the stems of all infusible parts and washed them of any debris or creepy crawlies :) Since I am only using the soft parts of the plant, I will do a quick 10-15 minute steep in boiling water. Just heat your filtered water to boiling (less is better, so you can always dilute the finished infusion to your taste). Then, take the infusion pot off heat and add your herb. Cover with a lid and let it sit, steeping, for 10-15 minutes. (If I were using a "harder" part of the plant, like the root or bark, I would make a decoction by simmering the plant material for the allotted time- anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on the herb).

Wild Bee Balm

When your infusion is done steeping, just filter off the herb with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth and enjoy! I sweetened my infusion with a bit of honey, since Wild Bee Balm is a bit spicy and it was delish! If your infusion is a bit too strong for your taste, just dilute with hot water until it is to your liking.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Now that I have shown you the edibles/medicinal herbs I have found in our yard, I will demonstrate how to preserve them for future use! Dried herbs are very handy when it comes to making an extract/tincture/salve for the winter months, when you know the fresh herbs won't be available.
Just follow a few easy steps and you'll have a good supply of medicinal herbs, just when you need them!

Broadleaf Plantain, drying after a thorough wash

The first of two methods for drying herbs is bag drying:

1. Pick the herb that you will be preserving. Be sure to harvest the correct part of the plant- for some plants, this may be the leaf and for others, the root! For some plants, it is both...do your research before harvesting any medicinal herb.

2. Wash your herbs. You picked these plants from the great outdoors- be sure there is nothing in your medicine that you don't want in there! I gently wash my herbs in a colander, making sure each individual picking is washed of any debris, dirt or other organic matter.

3. Dry off your herbs. Just place the washed herbs on a paper towel and let the water evaporate. This will prevent wet spots from getting trapped between your herbs- moisture breeds mold, and you don't want that!

Catmint and Common Yarrow, freshly harvested

4. When the herbs are dried off, place them loosely in a paper bag. Do not stuff too many in there or the air won't circulate- once again, you want the herbs to dry, not ferment. Label your bag before putting it up!

Make sure to label and date your bags of herbs!

5. Shake your bagged herbs every day to circulate the air and help the plant material dry. It may take a week or so to completely dry out the plants, so check the herbs until they are crispy dry and ready to put into storage. (I use recycled glass jars, tightly sealed, and store them in a dark cabinet.)

Red Clover, ready to store for future use

The second method for drying herbs is hanging. This is ideal for herbs with long stems :)

(Follow #1-3 in the directions for bag drying)4. When the herbs are dried off, divide the herbs into small bunches. Secure the stems of the bunches with rubber bands or string, to make sure none of the plant material will fall when hung upside down.

A small bunch of Catmint, ready to hang!

5. Find a dry place and string up your herbs! You could hang them from nails in your pantry or a string across your laundry room- wherever they will be out of the way and in no danger of being disturbed. The first time I tried this, I hung them in my pantry, but quite low. The ending result was more dried leaves on the floor than left for storage! Hang the plants well out of reach of little fingers :)6. Check the herbs often and store in air-tight jars when crispy dry.Take advantage of Natures bounty! Stock up on your local medicinal herbs before the frosts come this fall. And enjoy your good health all winter long!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Since posting about edibles in our yard, I have found even more of them! Here are a few more things you are bound to find in and around your yard, even in the city... don't use Round-up to poison these edibles- harvest them! Foraging is not only fun, but it's FREE :)

Red Clover

You are probably familiar with Red Clover already, but did you know that this lovely plant (from the legume family, none the less) is edible and medicinal? Red Clover is found all over the United States, and is commonly used as cattle feed! As you can see in the pictures, this species of clover has pretty pink blossoms and "stripes" on the leaves. It usually grows in large patches in open, sunny fields (or in the middle of your yard!).

The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or tossed into a salad- they also make a nice tea! Some people experience bloat when eating large quantities of red clover, so pace yourself.

Traditional Chinese medicine believed that it was a good tonic for colds, to purify the blood, and at one time they burned it as incense. Native Americans used it as a salve for burns, as well as for bronchial problems. Many cultures have traditionally used red clover to treat whooping cough, respiratory problems, psoriasis, eczema and even cancer. Red clover is one of the herbs in Essiac, which is a herbal blend for cancer patients, and grows in many areas around the world.

Sweet Red Clover blossoms

Broadleaf Plantain

The next edible/medicinal herb is Broadleaf Plantain- a great herb to have around in case of an insect sting, burn, open wound, or intestinal upset! Plantain is not only edible, but packed with nutrients. It grows alongside roads or your driveway, in our case :) It is easily recognizable by the long, stringy veins in the leaves, as seen in the picture below:

The stringy veins of the Braodleaf Plantain leaf

When using plantain as a wild green, it is prefered to blanch the leaves first to make them more tender. This plant tends to be a little tough and slightly bitter when eaten fresh. After blanching, the leaves can be frozen for future use in soups, casseroles or sauteed! Dried leaves make a great tea for digestive problems.

Braodleaf Plantain along the driveway

As you can see, Broadleaf Plantain grows all along our driveway... I showed my youngest son how to chew the leaves and apply them to insect bites, since he tends to swell when stung. The medicinal qualities of plantain draw out the poison from stings and hasten healing from burns or open wounds.

Oriental Poppy

I was amazed at the beauty of this Oriental Poppy! But, poppies aren't just ornamental... their seeds are delicious to harvest after the blooms have faded away! Just harvest the seed pods when they start to brown and let them dry in your kitchen. When the pod is fully dried, open them to reveal the nutritious seeds inside!

Poppy seeds are known to decrease levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and are high is dietary fiber. The seeds are excellent source B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid. Many of these vitamins functions as co-factors in substrate metabolism especially fat and carbohydrates. Poppy seeds contain good levels of minerals likeiron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zincand magnesium.

Small amounts of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds have been found to have some beneficial effects on the human body; soothe nervous irritability, act as painkillers. Its seed extractions found useful in pharmacy and in many traditional medicines in the preparations of cough mixtures, expectorants, etc.

Milk Thistle

The last edible I will show you is Milk Thistle. Although this plant is very spiky and unfriendly-looking, I assure you it is quite edible! It is a tall (it can reach 3 ft in height), spiny plant that grows in full sun just about everywhere... I have seen them as far south as Florida and well into the Rocky Mountains.

The flowers of this plant (although they aren't blooming at this altitude yet) are light purple and bloom on the terminus of the plant stalk. All parts of the plant are edible, even the roots. Thistle leaves can be eaten raw, sometimes as a spinach substitute, after the spines are removed. Flower buds can be cooked, as can the stem after peeling and soaking to reduce bitterness. Thistle can be used as an asparagus or rhubarb substitute or added to salads. Milk Thistle seeds can even be roasted and ground as a coffee substitute!

As a medicinal herb, it is a great tonic, increases appetite and aids in digestion. It is used by many people, including those who were addicted to alcohol to cleanse the liver. Milk thistle is used internally in the treatment of liver and gall bladder diseases, jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis, acne and poisoning (including mushroom poisoning). *************************************************************Explore your surroundings! You'll be surprised at all the edibles you find in your area :)Enjoy nature and its bounty!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

I am constantly looking for edibles in our yard... my kids yell at me when we are outside and I bend down to pick a snack :) I am trying to teach my kids about wild edibles, and they are slowly accepting that you don't have to go to the grocery store to get your greens!

There are many varieties of wild edibles in this country, but since I am in the mountains I am going to show you what we have found here. I am sure some of these are widely available, so keep your eyes peeled next time you wander through your neighborhood...

Common Mallow

The first wild edible I found is Common Mallow. This a wonderful green herb- it reminds me a little bit of spinach when eaten raw

The plants are usually about 1 foot high. The mid-Spring flowers can be white, pink or light purple, and all have five petals. Shortly after the flowers drop off, the plant produces a small, disc-shaped fruit that resembles a wheel of cheese about 1/4 inch across.

Common Mallow in bloom

All parts of mallow are edible, and nutritious! Although the leaves and stems are yummy when raw in salads, all parts, including the roots, can be boiled with soups to make them thicker. The roots can be eaten after being boiled until translucent.

If you can find enough of the roots, you might be able to use them as people have traditionally used marshmallow roots-- to make candy. To do this, peel the root, slice it and boil in just enough simple syrup to cover. The root will first turn translucent and then seem to melt away. The liquid should be reasonably thick at this point and, after straining any remaining solids, can be dropped by the spoonful onto waxed paper to dry or whipped into a chiffon-like confection.

Common mallow leaves are rich in vitamins A and C as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium. Dried leaves can be made into a nutritious tea.

Pineapple Weed

Pineapple weed, is a beautiful, feathery edible! The plant can reach up to 18 inches in height and has fern-like leaves. It resembles its relative chamomile, although the flowers seem to have no petals! Pineapple weed got its name from the pineapple-y scent it emits when you crush it. You have to have a pretty keen nose to get the full pineapple effect, so don't fret if you can't smell it!Pineapple weed makes a very nice, relaxing tea when you steep the arial parts of the plant in hot water for about 5 minutes.

Close up of Pineapple Weed flowers

Since it is a cousin to chamomile, you can expect the same medicial properties- very calming, good for menstrual crams, improves digestion, alleviates gas and treats colds. It has been noted as having mild antiseptic properties, as well!It's also great to munch on when you find some on a hike! Feel free to toss some flowers and leaves into your spring salad mix :)

Dandelion

One of the best known wild foods isdandelion. Although the leaves are best harvested in early spring, before the plant blooms, the flowers can be harvested throughout the summer and made into a delicious "wine". Once the plant blooms, the leaves become very bitter, although still edible.

The flowers and long taproot can also be eaten. The flowers are best stripped of the green sepals at their base and stir fried or used as a colorful garnish for soups or salads. The taproot needs a long simmering before eating or can also be roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute.

As I stated in my previous post on dandelion wine, the dandelion has been used traditionally as a liver detoxifier and has many vitamins and minerals, including calcium and iron.

Daisy Fleabane

I have always been a big fan of daisies, but I never knew they were edible. This variety of daisy grows anywhere between 1 ft to 4.5 ft in height. The leaves of this plant tend to be hairy.

Only the leaves are edible. Since they are hairy, the leaves have a somewhat ‘furry’ texture making eating them raw not too nice. They can be used wherever you cook with greens.

Daisy fleabane leaf extracts contain caffeic acid which is an active compound that has antioxidative and neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells.

Catmint

Every plant in the mint family is edible- just look for squared-off stems, opposite leaves and a minty scent!Catmint tastes minty, although more delicate and more floral than other mints. It can be used in the same ways you might use any more common mint such as peppermint or spearmint. In other words, in just about anything. You can also drive your cats crazy with catmint! It is said to be just as stimulating as catnip for some cats...

Catmint is really great for menstrual cramps, and is also a calmative and muscle relaxant. It is said to relieve the symptoms of colic in children, and can be used as a digestive aid for adults. Just eat the leaves right off the plant or make into a fragrant tea.

Common Yarrow

On the subject of medicinal plants, Common Yarrow is a legendary powerhouse. It sprouts in early to mid-Spring with leaves that resemble green pipe cleaners. Its flowers are white to pink and grow in large umbrella-like bunches.

Common Yarrow in bloom

Common Yarrow's leaves, stems and flowers, dried or fresh, make an herbal tea that is particularly popular in Europe and contains more than 120 active, medicinal compounds. Some of those compounds stop bleeding from open wounds, suppress menstruation and help heal bruises and burns. Those compounds are balanced by other compounds that promote the free flow of blood. Tea brewed from the leaves has been used as a heart, circulatory, arterial wall, and kidney tonic. It also lowers blood pressure and helps sweat out colds, flu, fevers and other infectious illnesses. As if that weren't enough, it has anti-inflamatory and antiseptic qualities. A fresh leaf can be crushed and applied directly to an aching tooth to soothe the pain.

Leaves can be consumed raw or cooked. They have a somewhat bitter flavor yet they make a great addition to mixed salads. They are best used when young. Common yarrow leaves are also used as a hop-substitute for flavoring and as a preservative for beer. Although in general yarrow is a very nutritious and beneficial plant to add to the diet, it is recommended that this not be consumed in large quantities. Tea is made from the flowers and leaves.

Wild Rhubarb

I had never seen rhubarb growing wild before we moved to Colorado! But, along the seasonal creek that flows past our home, I found a large bunch of this purple-stalked edible. Fresh raw stalks are crisp (similar tocelery) with a strong, tart taste. The stalks are primarily used in the U.S. in desserts (think strawberry/rhubarb pie!). Do not eat the leaf, as it contains toxic components.

Rhubarb has cathartic and laxative properties and is used in the case of constipation.

Wild Strawberry

The next two edibles are very similar, even in name- the wild strawberry and the wood strawberry. But, the two fruits are very different, so keep in mind the differences between the two plants.

Anybody who has tried a wild strawberry knows that they taste the same as strawberries sold for cultivation- just much smaller :) As you can see in the photo, wild strawberries have three, toothed leaves and white flowers (unlike the "fake" wood strawberry- below- that has yellow flowers).
The fruits of the wild strawberry grow downward and hang from the plant, the wood strawberries point upward and are easier to spot. Both fruits are edible, but wood strawberries are known to be disappointing- they have zero flavor.

So, if you like strawberries, don't be fooled by the beautiful red fruit of the wood strawberry! Here is a list of things to look for when searching for real wild strawberries:

Red fruit, pointing down

Three, toothed leaves, plants close to ground

white flowers

The roots and leaves of the wild strawberry can be made into tea. It has been used to treat cases of diarrhea, ailments of the lungs and stomach and can be used raw or dried for skin infections. Like the dandelion, all parts of the plant are edible!Like the wild strawberry, the leaves and roots of the wood strawberry can be used for much of the same purposes...just not as tasty.

Wood Strawberry

Common Mullein

This is the most exciting find yet! Known more for its healing properties than its edibleness,mulleinis a very useful herb. As with many of the most useful plants, mullein has many names, including Jacob's staff, flannelleaf and feltwort. I have even heard Coloradans call it "Indian toilet paper"!

Mullein leaves can be more than 2 feet long. The leaves feel exactly like felt. In its second year, mullein sends up a thick flower stalk that can reach 10 feet in height. Yellow flowers, then seed pods develop on the terminus of the stalk. When we moved here in December, I remember seeing all these stalks, still persisting in the cold weather...

Mullein, shooting up a flower stalk

Mullein thrives in places where few other plants can grow, like sandy or overly alkaline soils. It has antihistimine, antiseptic, pain inhibiting, antispasmodic, tranquilizing and sedative qualities. In addition, it can help heal wounds, soothe burns, reduce swelling, stimulate growth and soften skin.

A tea made from the leaves and carefully strained to remove the hairs contains loads of B vitamins as well as vitamin D, choline, hesperidin, PABA, sulfur, magnesium, mucilage, saponins and other active substances. It's one of the most effective remedies around for a sore throat or bad cough. Smoking the leaves can alleviate asthma, bronchitis and other lung ailments.

A tea with many of the same properties can also be made from the root; this is especially helpful during the winter after the leaves have vanished. Tea made from the flowers has been used to treat migraine headaches, and oil extracted from the flowers has cured ear infections. The yellow flowers contain a color-fast dye that can be used on cloth or, as many Roman women did, to dye hair blonde.

The leaves can be used to treat arthritis because they increase blood flow wherever they are applied. They are also one of the best things around to use as an impromptu bandage. After having been bruised, just wrap the leaf around the wound!

Mullein leaves and flowers are edible, but tea is probably the preferred method of ingestion :)

This is one herb/edible with many uses! One of my favorites :)

Juniper

I found juniper bushes all around our property and in the forest behind us. The berries are a beautiful shade of blue and have many uses as well!Bruised juniper berries have traditionally been used as a spice in meat dishes in Europe. It has also been used to flavor gin (the name "gin" is derived from either the French "genievre" or the Dutch "jenever", both meaning "juniper") and other traditional beverages.

Juniper has diuretic effects, is believed to be an appetite stimulant, and is used to treat rheumatism and arthritis. It is also being studied as a possible treatment for diabetes, as it releases insulin from the pancreas. Some Native American tribes used juniper as a female contraceptive.

Juniper essential oil is readily available for use in skincare and aromatherapy.Be sure to identify the species of juniper you find in your area, as the Juniperus sabina is toxic and should not be eaten.

Friday, June 5, 2015

My son suffered from seasonal allergies when we lived in Louisiana. With all the oaks and flowers blooming in spring, even our cars were sometimes colored yellow from all the pollen in the air! It was also hard for him because the humidity was always high, even in the spring, making it harder to breathe and pretty much unbearable to spend a lot of time outside... That was the situation that spurred my interest in herbal remedies :)

10 years later... I am still concocting herbal remedies for my family! As David Christopher, Master Herbalist and director of the School of Natural Healing, put it so simply:

"There are no commercially sold herbs as dangerous as the safest drug. "I want the best health for my family and refuse to give them synthetic drugs, unless necessary. That includes over-the-counter allergy meds. So, I'm going to share with you my very effective "Allergy formula". It has no lengthy list of side-effects (none, actually), and works like a charm!The Herbs:I am using three herbs in this formula... first, the superstar herb, fenugreek. It is used in many herbal formulas for lung healing. It expels mucus and phlegm from the bronchial tubes and soothes sore throats. Next up, the side-kick herbs nettle and peppermint. Nettle is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, silicon, potassium, and protein. One of its uses has been in formulas for illnesses concerning the lungs. Peppermint I added for flavor, since herbs are not known for tasting good :) Peppermint also promotes relaxation and aids in digestion and headache relief.

What you need for your homemade allergy glycerite:canning jarcrock pot (big enough to hold the canning jar)wash ragfood grade glycerineherbs: 1 part Fenugreek, 1/2 part nettle, 1/2 part peppermint Directions: (If you are making a quart jar's-worth of this extract, use 1 cup as your "part" measurement.)

Mix herbs and place them in a clean canning jar. (fill jar about to about 1/2 full)

Pour a small amount of hot water over the herbs to wet them. Let it sit 5 minutes.

Fill the canning jar to within 1" of top with glycerine. Cap tightly.

Put the canning jar into your crock pot on a folded rag (to prevent jar from breaking) and fill crock pot with water, up to just below the lid on the canning jar.

Set your crock pot on the low or warm setting. We are not cooking the herbs, just heating them to quicken the extraction process.

Let the jar sit in your crock pot for three full days. Shake the jar at least once a day to circulate the herbs and refill the crock pot with water if it gets too low (the jar should be covered up to just below the lid). If the herbs settle when the glycerine is fully heated, just top off the extract with glycerine.

After the 3 day extraction period, filter your glycerite through a cloth and bottle the liquid. Make sure you label and date the bottles. This extract is good for 1 year.

Dosage: 1 dropper-full, 3 times a day on an empty stomach. You can use up to 1 t, three times a day for adults. If you find the taste isn't pleasant, you can mix this with juice.

Treat your seasonal allergies with herbs this year and see how much better you feel! And, Enjoy a symptom-free allergy season :) You can also use this formula to make an alcohol tincture. Just follow these directions.Using alcohol will lengthen the shelf life to 2 years, but it is not recommended as a children's allergy remedy.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Ok, I have to admit, I am obsessed with making my hair grow- I have visions of my hair flowing over my shoulders and being everlastingly full and radiant! Unfortunately, I have my father's hair- thin and stringy (when it gets too long). My homemade hair products are wonderful, but none of them are helping with the length or fullness of my hair. The quality of my hair has always been fine; I even had a fellow student (years ago) ask if she could touch my hair because it is so soft and shiny! So, I am on a mission to find the perfect blend of hair-nourishing herbs that will make my locks healthy and full.

Bingo! I found a recipe for a hair tonic with rosemary and stinging nettle that is supposed to stimulate your scalp and actually grow thicker hair. I took that recipe and added some essential oils to aid in the scalp-stimulating properties of the tonic.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

I love dandelions! Not only are they bright and yellow (which happens to be my favorite color), but they are full of nutrients and can help you perform a "spring cleaning" on your liver! Dandelions have been used as a detoxifier and blood purifier for centuries. I think dandelions are beautiful herbs, not weeds, and they should be used and revered as such.

From the Bulk Herb Store catalog:

" (dandelion) is high in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium... This is the herb for improving low blood pressure and helping build energy and endurance. It is also one of the best liver cleansers and is therefore great for skin diseases."

A few days ago, I was amazed at the abundance of dandelions in our yard. So, I took my "little ones" and filled a sack with about 3 quarts of these lovely yellow flowers. (Be sure to pluck the flowers in the morning when they first open.)

Then, we made a very strong dandelion infusion; just use equal parts flowers and boiling filtered water. Let the infusion sit in a large stainless steel pot with a lid for 24-48 hours. Then, strain the liquid into a fermenting vessel. (Be sure to squeeze all the goodness out of the flowers!) I used a small fermenting crock as my vessel.

To your (3 quarts) dandelion infusion, add:

3/4 c unrefined cane sugar

juice of 2 oranges

peel of 1 orange (I used a vegetable peeler)

juice of 2 lemons

peel of 1 lemon

3/4 c starter culture (I used water kefir, but you could also use whey)

Once the ingredients are mixed, cover the fermenting vessel with a cloth secured by a rubber band. Let the mixture sit for a couple of days, until you see signs of fermentation- bubbles! Be sure to stir at least once a day in the meantime...

When you see bubbles, let the wine ferment for another 1-2 days, depending on the temperature of your home. Stir and taste daily.

The dandelion wine is finished! Bottle this lovely beverage and chill before enjoying a glass. And, although it is called "wine", dandelion wine is safe for children to drink, as long as it doesn't sit around too long!

To me, dandelion wine tastes a lot like European Orangina- So enjoy the benefits of dandelion in this tasty, citrus-y beverage! And never take the dandelion for granted again ;)